U.S. pork exports totaled 257,800 MT in December, down 3.4 percent from a year earlier, according to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau released this week. Mexico remained the top destination during the month, accounting for 113,800 MT or 44 percent of the total. China was the No. 2 destination, followed by Japan and South Korea.

Cumulative shipments for 2025 reached 2.94 million metric tons (MMT), declining 2.3 percent from the previous year. Volumes to Mexico continued to grow, rising 7 percent year-over-year. However, that was offset by declines in shipments to China (21 percent), Japan (8 percent), South Korea (4 percent), and Canada (15 percent). The U.S. did see continued demand for pork exports to Central America.

U.S. beef exports totaled 98,600 MT in December, down 10 percent year-over-year. Total shipments for 2025 reached 1.14 MMT, down 12 percent from the previous year and hitting the lowest since 2017.

Tighter domestic beef supplies and higher prices limited the volume of beef shipped to international markets. Through 2025, shipments to South Korea, the largest U.S. beef export market, were fractionally higher than the same period a year ago. However, several key export markets saw declines over that period, including Japan (2 percent), Mexico (10 percent), Canada (5 percent), Taiwan (6 percent), and China (67 percent).

The USDA forecasts beef exports to decline 6 percent in 2026 as supplies are expected to remain tight and prices are forecast to remain elevated. Demand for higher-value beef will continue to insulate some U.S. exports in key markets.

U.S. beef imports in December totaled 461 million pounds, up 15.5 percent year-over-year. That was a record for the month and the highest volume since May. Total beef imports for the year reached 5.47 billion pounds, rising 18 percent from 2024 and hitting a new record. Higher shipments were led by increased imports from Brazil (up 35 percent), Argentina (30 percent), Nicaragua (27 percent), Australia (26 percent), Uruguay (20 percent), and Mexico (19 percent).

Tight supplies, particularly for lean processing beef due to reduced domestic cow slaughter, resulted in the United States being an attractive market for global exporters. Established tariff rate quotas (TRQ) were largely filled in 2025, resulting in significant volumes entering the United States at elevated, out-of-quota tariff rates.

Beef imports are forecast to be 3 percent higher in 2026, as demand for imported lean processing beef is expected to continue. TRQ availability has also been expanded for some key trading partners, including Argentina, which should improve the terms of trade for a portion of imports entering the United States.

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